The conference examined various issues in particular Maritime Silk Road developments and assessed how countries, including Malaysia, could best reap the benefits of this initiative. China is keen to invest in Malaysia’s infrastructure projects as Malaysia is viewed as politically stable, has favorable economic growth prospects, is highly ranked in trade competitiveness, and offers both traditional and emerging areas in which to invest. Such investments would benefit Malaysia by placing her along the future growth and development alignments envisaged under the various BRI initiatives.

YBhg. First Admiral Dato’ Chin Yoon Chin (R), MIMA Director-General’s closing speech noted that the Twenty-First Century can be defined as a “maritime century” which is one key component of BRI that enhances the maritime connectivity among Asian countries. He visualized that BRI would provide an integrated economic zone that will positively affect a third of the world’s population.

Earlier, MIMA and CIISS signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 22 May 2017 to conduct research on multilateral mechanisms for regional low-sensitivity security cooperation, in particular on BRI related programmes. The MoU includes the exchange of academic information and research material, scholarly papers, policy research and training, and joint publications. A workshop is also planned in the fall of 2017 in China to address issues relating to geo-political perceptions and economic constraints faced by China.

MIMA and CIISS will also focus on addressing multipronged issues involving China and ASEAN aimed mainly at ensuring that collaboration on BRI will contribute towards regional cooperation. It will also emphasise on ensuring that maritime-related infrastructure developments involving Malaysia and China under the BRI defer to the needs of ecosystem preservation as outlined in the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

MIMA and CISS Delegation at the MoU Signing ceremony

T

he above conference was jointly organised by the Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA) and the China Institute for International and Strategic Studies (CIISS).